If you've worked with JavaScript or TypeScript, you've probably used ESLint at some point.
But recently, a new competitor has been gaining attention: Oxlint.
So, what's the difference, and which one should you choose?
Let's start with the basics.
What is a Linter?
A linter is a tool that analyzes your code and reports potential issues before they reach production.
Beyond catching bugs, it also helps teams maintain a consistent coding style by enforcing shared rules across the codebase.
In short, it keeps your code cleaner, more predictable, and easier to maintain.
ESLint
ESLint has been the standard linter for the JavaScript ecosystem for years.
If you've built a React, Next.js, Vue, or Node.js application, chances are you've already worked with it.
Pros
- A massive ecosystem.
- Thousands of plugins and shareable configurations.
- Excellent support for React, Next.js, Vue, TypeScript, testing libraries, and more.
- Easy to write custom rules.
- Mature and battle-tested.
Cons
- Performance can become an issue in large projects.
- Every additional plugin increases linting time.
- Configuration can become complex as projects grow.
Oxlint
Oxlint is a modern linter written in Rust, designed from the ground up with one goal: speed.
It's quickly becoming popular because of its impressive performance.
Pros
- Often tens of times faster than ESLint.
- Lower CPU and memory usage.
- Simple setup with an excellent developer experience.
- Great choice for large repositories and CI/CD pipelines.
Cons
- The ecosystem is still much smaller than ESLint's.
- Not every ESLint rule or plugin is supported yet.
- Projects that rely heavily on custom ESLint plugins may still need ESLint.
Which one should you use?
Choose ESLint if:
- You're working on an existing project.
- Your project depends on many ESLint plugins.
- You need custom linting rules.
- You're using frameworks like Next.js with established ESLint configurations.
Choose Oxlint if:
- You're starting a new project.
- Performance is a top priority.
- Your project doesn't rely on many ESLint plugins.
- You want to significantly reduce linting time in CI.
Why not use both?
You don't necessarily have to choose one over the other.
Many teams combine them to get the best of both worlds.
A common workflow looks like this:
- Use Oxlint during development for extremely fast feedback.
- Run ESLint before commits or in CI to enforce all project-specific rules and plugins.
This approach provides a great developer experience without sacrificing the flexibility of ESLint.
Final thoughts
There's no universal winner.
- ESLint wins when you need flexibility, a mature ecosystem, and extensive plugin support.
- Oxlint wins when speed and developer experience are your highest priorities.
For many modern teams, using both is becoming an increasingly popular choice.
This is the first post in my new Frontend Battles series, where I'll compare popular frontend tools, libraries, and technologies to help you understand their strengths, trade-offs, and when to choose each one.
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